Case Study: Switched Off Africa. Switched on and Switched Off. The world is split into two halves, the brant line (the north south divide), the core and the periphery. The core or 'the north' is the MEDCs, the rich, developed countries. Then the is the south the 'periphery' the LDCs the least economically developed countries, and often the countries the core exploits. Countries that are economically developed and have global influence are often called switched on. Those that aren't switched off. Africa particularly sub Saharan Africa is seen as switched off. How do we decide what is switched on and switched off? One way of categorising countries is a HDI score. This is the Human Development Index It takes into account many variables and produces a number, 1 being the highest of Human Development. Some of the Variables include: Gross National Product Per Capita - The total amount of money earned by the country per year. Birth Rate - The number of births per 1000 people per year.
Health Care - Doctors per 100,000 people Conflict. The Growth Of Globalisation. Globalisation Globalisation is the increasing process by which people, their culture, money, goods and information can be transferred between countries with few or no barriers. In general terms it is the growth of links and interdependence between countries. Globalisation is not a new thing, the British Empire was a Global Trading Network. Factors that have Accelerated Globalisation There are several factors that have accelerated globalisation including: Improved Technology in Travel:- Planes- ShippingImproved Communications:- Internet- Cheaper TelephonesOpen trade- Financial Deregulation- Trade Blocs- TNC's The Growth of Airtravel Since 1903 when Wright brothers successfully flew for 852 feet in a glider plane, flight has been one way to transport people and sometimes goods.
Planes have become more efficient; the first jet liner was the 747 De Havilland Comet, it could carry up to 100 passengers 5,000 km, this was in 1952. How has this accelerated 'globalisation'?